Blackberry Sorbet

DSC_0007It was a big deal and even a bigger job … making ice cream with a crank style maker when I was a kid. Mom would put together the specifically purchased ingredients while Dad drove off to the ice house for a burlap bag of chunked ice. And hopefully one of them remembered the rock salt. Dad was the only one with the strength to turn the ol’ rusty crank and even he had a time. It seemed like hours but I’m sure more like 30 minutes of constant churning before Dad would declare it was done. I miss those days but I can make ice cream so much easier. I use a Cuisinart.

It wasn’t until almost noon that we decided we might enjoy a Blackberry Sorbet for dessert. The bowl insert needed freezer time before use. Popped it into the freezer … no ice or salt with this. We’d be ready to rock-n-roll in 6 hours, the time it takes the liquid inside the bowl to freeze solid. Just put together the berry mixture … 4 easy ingredients.

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Tartlets

Lemon Curd & Raspberries with Chantilly Cream

Blueberry with Chantilly Cream

Tartlets for July 4th 2017Love this dessert. Absolutely perfect for the Fourth! The rich crust is amazingly simple with only three ingredients. The flavorful Lemon Curd is refreshingly tart. And the Chantilly Cream is just what’s needed to tame a bit of the tartness. The blueberries with just a hint of nutmeg are juicy delicious. Red-White-Blue … Happy Fourth of July!

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Triple Layer Cookie Bar

Shortbread Brownie Chocolate Chip Bar

triple layer cookie barMotivated by the Brookster. Didn’t even know about The Brookster or Baked until my recent trip to Tribeca. The cookie was amazing. Thought about recreating it, two of my favorite cookies baked together. Weeks went by and I hadn’t made any cookies at all … unusual since I love homemade cookies right from the oven. I began feeling cookie deprived, craving my favorites. Why not bake my three favorites together. Know it will work! And here it is, a three layer cookie bar!

Take a tour of Baked while I put together the Triple Layer Cookie Bar recipe.

Brookster

Brookster

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Memorial Day Week-end

Strawberry Dessert

Baked Strawberry Shortcake

Family is gathering and for me it’s a time to cook recipes that are tried-and-true. This is a simply baked strawberry shortcake for a crowd. It’s an old time favorite, here. Some feel it’s not dessert if it’s not chocolate. If this is you try my chocolate category for great ideas. Potato salad is one of my favorite BBQ sides and I do have a variety of recipes. If you’re into sweet potato fries you might find this sweet potato salad irresistible. A few of my favorites to get you started into Summer 2017:

Baked Beans

Baked Beans

Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato

Barbecued Corn

Barbecued Corn

Classic Potato Salad

Classic Potato Salad

Purple Cow

Purple Cow

Portuguese Beans

Portuguese Beans


Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother's DayMother’s Day was much different decades ago. Mainly a greeting card day. I loved the crafts created by my children and have saved almost all to their horror. For my mom I often made cookies because while she always claimed she didn’t like sweets she never refused them especially cookies. Today, I’ll be celebrating with a nice brunch at the VP, one of my favorite local restaurants. My children have made this day a big deal and I’m almost a little embarrassed but I love it! Enjoy some of my Mother’s favorite sweets. And Happy Mother’s Day!

Butterscotch cookiesCountry-style berry cobblerCandy Bar CookiesButter Sponge CakeFavorite French Apple Pie

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Chocolate Cheesecake Dessert

Chocolate Cheesecake DessertThe Perfect Dessert for tonight! We’re having a little family for dinner, my spaghetti & meatballs, and this delicious dessert. Will’s favorite pie is my chocolate, here. But I’m thinking this is going to be a favorite too. I’ve hung onto this recipe for some time but never tried it. It’s a Ghirardelli. Mildly chocolate and a pretty simple bake. More chocolate can be added if you’re into a pretty heavy chocolate taste.

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Coconut Pound Cake

Just for Spring

Coconut Pound CakeYou gotta love coconut! Here’s a great dessert for that Spring gathering. Don’t tell anyone but I love this with my morning coffee. Works perfectly for brunch. This is not a family recipe but one I found, in a Country Door catalogue, … not that I didn’t tweak it a bit. Shopping on line is a must and what this means … I receive every imaginable catalogue out there, no matter what! The home decorating catalogues give me good ideas without me spending a dime. Yes, I move my home furnishings around a lot. Ha! And yep, they often have recipes sprinkled in. As for clothing catalogues … I’d rather rely on my daughter instead, Sapphire Diaries. Now for that recipe.

Here is another recipe you may enjoy, too! Coconut Cake with Caramel Rum Sauce

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Baked Ziti

easy pasta

Great family dinner highlighting Baked Ziti and Peanut Butter Cake. I’ve been asked by family to spend less time at the stove and more time at the table with them. Some meals it’s almost impossible but not this one. This is an amazing dinner for a crowd and no one feels neglected not even the gourmet.

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Girl Scout Cookie Crust

With Grasshopper Filling

girl scout cookie_What do you do when you buy too many Girl Scout Cookies? You use the cookies for pie crusts. Yes, all varieties will work! The secret is to have a good blender capable of pulsing the cookies to a fine crumb. This pie is an adult recipe with, yes, crème de menthe. Just in time for St. Patrick’s!

Mint cookies were used for this crust and it required approximately 3/4 box to acquire 1 1/2 cups of crumbs. The finer the crumb the more cookies used. The whole box can be used not to exceed 2 cups of fine crumbs. Will make one 8 or 9 inch pie crust. I recommend baking the crust prior filling. It just holds together better. Cool completely to room temperature before filling.

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Apple Raisin Cobbler

Apple Raisin CobblerThis is so quick and easy to make and perfect for breakfast. My Valentine had this for his breakfast! Very little added sugar, salt & fat. In fact, you could cut back on all three without poor results. Amazingly rich! Yes, you must love raisins! This old recipe is taken from my Mother’s favorites. Charlotte, one of Mother’s best friends, put this together. You might have enjoyed Charlotte’s Pineapple Cream Angel Food Cake, here. Now another terrific recipe … both must haves.

A recipe so easy you might believe it can’t pass as a company dessert. Just know these ladies were into classy. Everything they cooked was perfect for guests. Enjoy!

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